International Dairy Show

Safety Recognition Awards

Honoring U.S. Dairy Facilities for Excellent Worker Safety

Co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Foods Magazine

The annual Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards program honors facilities for outstanding worker safety performance. Building on changes made to the application process last year, IDFA will continue to request information on leading indicators about worker safety to monitor the actions or activities that companies have in place to prevent negative events or incidents, such as lost workday injuries or illnesses.

Applicants are judged on specific data required by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on the facility's "Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses" report (OSHA Form 300A). Employers are required to post their OSHA 300A forms from February 1 through April 30 each year.

Processing facilities are judged in four product categories: natural and processed cheese; dry, condensed and evaporated products; ice cream and frozen desserts; and fluid milk. Within each product category, there are awards for small, medium and large facilities that achieve the best overall safety performance rates based on the OSHA data.

Trucking operations receive certificates for having no lost days and no cases involving job transfers or restrictions.

The application process for 11th annual Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards is now closed. Winners will be announced at the International Dairy Show, September 15-18, in Chicago.